STEM

[Cadavre Exquis]

Anthropic Releases Claude 4 Models That Can Autonomously Work For Nearly a Full Corporate Workday
Posted by msmash on Thursday May 22, 2025 @01:20PM from the moving-forward dept.

Anthropic launched Claude Opus 4 and Claude Sonnet 4 today, positioning Opus 4 as the world's leading coding model with 72.5% performance on SWE-bench and 43.2% on Terminal-bench. Both models feature hybrid architecture supporting near-instant responses and extended thinking modes for complex reasoning tasks.

The models introduce parallel tool execution and memory capabilities that allow Claude to extract and save key facts when given local file access. Claude Code, previously in research preview, is now generally available with new VS Code and JetBrains integrations that display edits directly in developers' files. GitHub integration enables Claude to respond to pull request feedback and fix CI errors through a new beta SDK.

Pricing remains consistent with previous generations at $15/$75 per million tokens for Opus 4 and $3/$15 for Sonnet 4. Both models are available through Claude's web interface, the Anthropic API, Amazon Bedrock, and Google Cloud's Vertex AI. Extended thinking capabilities are included in Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans, with Sonnet 4 also available to free users.

The startup, which counts Amazon and Google among its investors, said Claude Opus 4 could autonomously work for nearly a full corporate workday -- seven hours. CNBC adds:

"I do a lot of writing with Claude, and I think prior to Opus 4 and Sonnet 4, I was mostly using the models as a thinking partner, but still doing most of the writing myself," Mike Krieger, Anthropic's chief product officer, said in an interview. "And they've crossed this threshold where now most of my writing is actually ... Opus mostly, and it now is unrecognizable from my writing."

Krieger added, "I love that we're kind of pushing the frontier on two sides. Like one is the coding piece and agentic behavior overall, and that's powering a lot of these coding startups. ... But then also, we're pushing the frontier on how these models can actually learn from and then be a really useful writing partner, too."

Saludos.

[Cadavre Exquis]

New sodium-based solid-state batteries may unlock faster charging and higher capacity
A novel NASICON electrolyte developed by BAM researchers may hold the key to stable, high-performance sodium solid-state batteries. Promising room-temperature operation, better safety, and lower costs.

Nathan Ali · 2025.05.20

BAM’s NASICON breakthrough pushes sodium solid-state batteries closer to real-world use (Image source: BAM)

Researchers at Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) are re-engineering solid-state batteries to overcome the ceiling reached by today’s lithium-ion cells. Their project centers on a new sodium super-ionic conductor (NASICON) electrolyte that could unlock faster charging, longer service life and lower costs without compromising safety.

Conventional lithium-ion packs rely on graphite anodes that store a finite number of ions. Switching to metallic lithium —or the cheaper, more abundant sodium— would raise energy density by as much as 40 percent. The catch is that solid anodes need a solid electrolyte, and the rigid interface between the two often forms voids that disable the battery. A partially liquid anode can solve that interface problem, but only if the whole system stays stable.

BAM’s team, led by guest researcher Gustav Graeber, has already shown that a liquid alkali-metal anode can deliver 100 times the power of graphite. Right now, though, that record output appears only at about 250°C (482°F). To bring the technology down to room temperature, the researchers add potassium to lower the anode’s melting point. Most solid electrolytes degrade in contact with potassium, so the electrolyte becomes the new bottleneck.

NASICON materials break that impasse. They conduct ions well at ambient conditions and tolerate potassium, especially when doped with hafnium. Hafnium, however, is scarce and expensive. The BAM project therefore, screens earth-abundant dopants that can match hafnium’s stabilizing effect. The most promising compositions are already being integrated and cycled in prototype sodium cells.

If the search succeeds, sodium-based solid-state batteries could move from the lab to everyday devices and electric vehicles. Higher energy density would extend operating time, while solid electrolytes would improve intrinsic safety. Faster charging and a supply chain that leans on plentiful sodium rather than scarce lithium and cobalt would make the technology attractive for grid storage as well—an incremental but meaningful step toward lower-carbon energy systems.

Saludos.

[el malo]

New sodium-based solid-state batteries may unlock faster charging and higher capacity
A novel NASICON electrolyte developed by BAM researchers may hold the key to stable, high-performance sodium solid-state batteries. Promising room-temperature operation, better safety, and lower costs.

Nathan Ali · 2025.05.20

BAM’s NASICON breakthrough pushes sodium solid-state batteries closer to real-world use (Image source: BAM)

Researchers at Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) are re-engineering solid-state batteries to overcome the ceiling reached by today’s lithium-ion cells. Their project centers on a new sodium super-ionic conductor (NASICON) electrolyte that could unlock faster charging, longer service life and lower costs without compromising safety.

Conventional lithium-ion packs rely on graphite anodes that store a finite number of ions. Switching to metallic lithium —or the cheaper, more abundant sodium— would raise energy density by as much as 40 percent. The catch is that solid anodes need a solid electrolyte, and the rigid interface between the two often forms voids that disable the battery. A partially liquid anode can solve that interface problem, but only if the whole system stays stable.

BAM’s team, led by guest researcher Gustav Graeber, has already shown that a liquid alkali-metal anode can deliver 100 times the power of graphite. Right now, though, that record output appears only at about 250°C (482°F). To bring the technology down to room temperature, the researchers add potassium to lower the anode’s melting point. Most solid electrolytes degrade in contact with potassium, so the electrolyte becomes the new bottleneck.

NASICON materials break that impasse. They conduct ions well at ambient conditions and tolerate potassium, especially when doped with hafnium. Hafnium, however, is scarce and expensive. The BAM project therefore, screens earth-abundant dopants that can match hafnium’s stabilizing effect. The most promising compositions are already being integrated and cycled in prototype sodium cells.

If the search succeeds, sodium-based solid-state batteries could move from the lab to everyday devices and electric vehicles. Higher energy density would extend operating time, while solid electrolytes would improve intrinsic safety. Faster charging and a supply chain that leans on plentiful sodium rather than scarce lithium and cobalt would make the technology attractive for grid storage as well—an incremental but meaningful step toward lower-carbon energy systems.

Saludos.

Vaya titular, parece que han dado con el (n-ésimo) Santo Grial de las baterías hasta que te lees la parte en rojo. Estos angloparlantes y sus "may"s en los titulares.

Yo tambien podría hacerme rico antes de que acabe el año.. si me tocara la lotería. Para eso tendría que empezar a jugar primero.. pero la posibilidad está ahí. "May"

[Cadavre Exquis]

Researchers Build 'The World's Fastest Petahertz Quantum Transistor'. They Predict Lightwave Electronics
Posted by EditorDavid on Saturday May 24, 2025 @12:34PM from the got-a-light dept.

"What if ultrafast pulses of light could operate computers at speeds a million times faster than today's best processors?" asks the University of Arizona.

"A team of scientists, including researchers from the University of Arizona, are working to make that possible."

In a groundbreaking international effort, researchers from the Department of Physics in the College of Science and the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences demonstrated a way to manipulate electrons in graphene using pulses of light that last less than a trillionth of a second. By leveraging a quantum effect known as tunneling, they recorded electrons bypassing a physical barrier almost instantaneously, a feat that redefines the potential limits of computer processing power. A study published in Nature Communications highlights how the technique could lead to processing speeds in the petahertz range — over 1,000 times faster than modern computer chips. Sending data at those speeds would revolutionize computing as we know it, said Mohammed Hassan, an associate professor of physics and optical sciences. Hassan has long pursued light-based computer technology and previously led efforts to develop the world's fastest electron microscope...

[T]he researchers used a laser that switches off and on at a rate of 638 attoseconds to create what Hassan called "the world's fastest petahertz quantum transistor... For reference, a single attosecond is one-quintillionth of a second," Hassan said. "That means that this achievement represents a big leap forward in the development of ultrafast computer technologies by realizing a petahertz-speed transistor." While some scientific advancements occur under strict conditions, including temperature and pressure, this new transistor performed in ambient conditions — opening the way to commercialization and use in everyday electronics. Hassan is working with Tech Launch Arizona, the office that works with investigators to commercialize inventions stemming from U of A research in order to patent and market innovations.

While the original invention used a specialized laser, the researchers are furthering development of a transistor compatible with commercially available equipment. "I hope we can collaborate with industry partners to realize this petahertz-speed transistor on a microchip," Hassan said.

Thanks to long-time Slashdot reader goslackware for sharing the news.

Saludos.